Southside Fire/EMS’ new headquarters on Dean Forest Road is testament to how far the independent fire department has come since 1961.

It’s composed of two buildings housing all administrative offices, a fire and EMS station, a dispatch center and mechanical repair facility totaling 38,000 square feet. Inspired by Hurricane Katrina, it was designed to withstand 125 mph winds.

The facility’s top floor was also designed to be electrically isolated from the bottom floor with multiple generators, in case of flooding, and its windows are 3 inches thick.

About 40 people work at the complex, which officially opened Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by about 80 board members, Chatham County and Garden City officials, employees and guests. The facility was dedicated to James Robertson, former chief and general manager.

Fire Chief and general manager Wesley Meadows said Southside Fire has grown from one truck and station to 13 stations, 10 EMS sites and dozens of emergency vehicles.

“The reason we’re here today is because of what James Robertson put in place years ago,” said Meadows. “He took a business model, we mirrored it, and we haven’t changed much from what he set up. We continue to grow.”

Southside Fire handles roughly 55,000 calls annually, up from 2,000 in 1997, according to officials.

Firefighters respond to calls in unincorporated Chatham County, while EMS personnel handle calls throughout the county. In addition, 130 volunteers assist the nonprofit operation, which has a class 3 Insurance Service Office, or ISO, rating.

“In the next 90 to 120 days Bloomingdale will have one in their city, then every city in Chatham County will have an ambulance stationed there 24/7,” Meadows said.

Southside Fire’s subscribers funded the new headquarters, which cost $3 million to $4 million to complete, after work began in 2011, said Assistant Chief Hugh Futrell. The old Norwood Avenue location already has potential buyers, he said.

Not only does the new facility include living quarters for fire and EMS crews, but it also features living space for command staff and dispatchers in the event of a severe storm or catastrophic event. There’s also a meeting room, dedicated to the memory of William Barbee, a World War II veteran who previously owned the land.